Fsu Runs Wild, Set Sights On Um

TALLAHASSEE -- The message scribbled on the board in the Florida State locker room said it all: ``On to Miami, Stop the Streak.``

No. 1-ranked Miami has won 47 straight games in the Orange Bowl, and No. 3 Florida State is on deck.

The Seminoles come in after a 35-7 victory over Wake Forest Saturday night before 62,915 fans at Doak Campbell Stadium.

``You can be certain,`` linebacker Marvin Jones said, ``that we and Miami will be playing at a different level next week. When we play each other, it`s big-time ball. I don`t know any other way to explain it.``

The Hurricanes` 8-7 victory over Arizona was only a wakeup call in the eyes of Florida State coach Bobby Bowden.

``It`s the best thing that could have happened to them,`` Bowden said. ``If they had won 40-0, it could have been bad for them. Now they know it will be a real war. We`ve got to get a lot better this week, or we`ll get slaughtered.``

Bowden had reason not to be happy with his team`s fourth consecutive victory, all in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Seminoles controlled the game throughout, but a holding penalty in the first quarter cost a touchdown, as did a fumble in the third quarter.

``We killed ourselves,`` said quarterback Charlie Ward, who completed 19 of 29 for 240 yards and an 18-yard touchdown to freshman Tamarick Vanover. It was his 10th touchdown pass against nine interceptions.

Vanover, as last week against North Carolina State, was the gamebreaker. He also scored on a 96-yard kickoff return.

On the ensuing kickoff, Vanover, a graduate of Tallahassee Leon, cut left across the field at his 35-yard line and outraced Kevin Cole, who had an angle on him. The return was the fifth longest in Florida State history.

``I saw the hole open, and I had one man to beat,`` Vanover said. ``Then, it became a footrace.``

Vanover finished with eight catches, the most by a Seminole since 1990, for 94 yards.

``He has great speed, and he`s big,`` Bowden said. ``His catches in the first half took the momentum away from Wake Forest.``

On the possession after the kickoff return, the Seminoles went up 21-7 on Tiger McMillon`s 2-yard run with 12:28 left in the half. McMillon, who gained 75 yards in 13 carries, had 34 yards in six carries in the drive.

Unfortunately, he would have two second-half fumbles.

``We can`t afford those breakdowns against Miami,`` Bowden said.

Vanover stepped back onto the stage on the next possession with three catches for 43 yards, including two third-down conversions, leading to William Floyd`s 6-yard run and a 28-7 lead with 7:18 left.

Just before halftime, the Seminoles moved into range for a 28-yard field goal by Dan Mowrey, and he missed, as he did earlier from 43 yards.

In the second half, Wake Forest continued to have problems moving against the Florida State offense. Mike Green`s missed 46-yard field goal was the best scoring chance for the Deacons, who are 0-2 in the ACC and 1-2 overall.

After McMillon`s two fumbles, the second in the end zone for a touchback, the Seminoles went to sleep on offense.

``It was easy to see us let up a little bit,`` offensive coordinator Brad Scott said. ``I`m certain we were already starting to look ahead, and it showed in our play.``

With two minutes left in the third quarter, Sean Jackson, who had 93 yards in 10 carries, swept left end from the FSU 12. He got a great block from guard Patrick O`Neill at the point of attack and went 88 yards to score with wide receiver Matt Frier throwing a good downfield block.

``It`s tough to shut us out,`` Jackson said. ``We did a lot more to hurt ourselves than they did to hurt us.``

Freshman Danny Kanell replaced Ward with 19 seconds left in the third quarter. He had one completion of 16 yards to Clyde Allen, but O`Mar Ellison dropped what would have been a 79-yard touchdown pass.

``Both of our quarterbacks need more playing time,`` Bowden said. The coaches had to be pleased with Ward, who didn`t have an interception for the first time this season.